Xue Ya

I forgot about this tea until I noticed tonight that my cat had somehow chewed on the bag, presumably in one of his fits of hunger. He will go for anything even somewhat resembling the bag his food comes in.

It is so nice! Really mild, sweet, and a little smokey. I love it, and am glad to rediscover it. The package suggests a surprising 4-7 minutes, so I went for 4 and am surprised at how much I like it that way.

Vile.

This is a really good every day green tea. It is sweet and light perfect for a hot day but has a hint of astringency at the end that is really pleasant. It supported easily 4 steeps. I prepared it with a gaiwan full of tea with a slightly warmer water than I use to for green teas. it is also a good quality/price tea.

17/28
I had this one earlier today as well when i wanted something a little lighter. This one was sent my way by omgsrsly likely via missB?? This one isn’t bad but it’s a little on the light side. While i’m not overly a fan of green teas, when i do have them, i like it when they’re a little more in your face in terms of their “green” flavour. this one seems almost subdued or something heh overall though, not bad just nothing to knock me off my feet.

This one is from MissB. Thank you for sharing!

Sadly, not for me. It’s the green pea and spinach flavours that just do me in with so many of these green teas! I’m sure that it’s a lovely example if you like those flavours in your teas, but unless I’m pouring the tea over rice and salmon, I’m not interested.

Now, I wonder whose bag I can put the other half of the sample in. :)

From China and Xue Ya means Snow Buds. This is exquisite tea.
The dry leaf smells like white tea with sweet notes and looks like a White Peony made from Silver Needle. The color has that silver/green loveliness.
I brewed this at 175F since it is a green and was able to steep a long time with no bitterness or harshness. I tasted three minutes in and it was very light so I kept in for 5 minutes total. Now the dry leaves may have tried to trick you into thinking they were a white tea,,,,the brewed leaves totally smelled like a Dragonwell-type green tea. All the leaves were two leaves and a bud,,,gorgeous and a very faint clear spring green colored liquor.

Presentation gets a very high score and no bitterness either so next time I try this I know I will brew it to bring out lots more flavor :)

Pairs lovely with chopped salad!

Second Steeping - O.K. this is definitely one for the Gaiwan. I couldn’t wait so I got new leaves and first added a bunch to the other leaves to completely stuff my gaiwan. This wasn’t the answer bc it had the same flavor notes as Western brewing but just less time.

I got new leaves and put the recommended 2 tsp into my Gaiwan and steeped for 30 seconds, then 15 seconds, then 30 seconds. Each session produced a light spring green liquor with more color than Western and light green flavors of spring pea to honey. This is definitely a green tea that wants to be a white tea. Don’t change!!!! You are fun and delicious and beautiful the way you are!!!!

6/3/14
Steeped some in my gaiwan this afternoon and I caught a note of cinnamon that I didn’t detect last time. Peas, cinnamon, honey, bit of cream. This is lovely tea!!
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7/22/14
Having a cup of this in the morning. Very light and probably more of an afternoon tea for me usually but wanted a lighter tea than a black this morning. It is very good with subtle notes of cream, pea, spice, sweet honey. Very good white.